Uninsured driver hit 130mph on M65 driving between Blackpool & Burnley to be with daughter fighting meningitis

When Michael Shakleton eventually pulled up after leaving the M65 he told traffic officers he was racing to get to hospital because his daughter was seriously ill with meningitis.

The city’s Crown Court was told the 36-year-old didn’t even have a valid driving licence when he set off on his “exceedingly dangerous” journey from Blackpool to Burnley in his girlfriend’s car.

“It was completely irresponsible (of you),” Recorder Ayesha Siddiqi told him. “I am surprised I am not sentencing you for a more serious offence today.”

Shakleton pleaded guilty to dangerous driving and using a vehicle without insurance and a licence. He was given a 12-month prison sentence suspended for 18 months and told by Recorder Siddiqi: “You are extremely fortunate to be leaving the dock today.”

The court heard the scaffolder had been in Blackpool on a weekend break with his partner when he received the news his 12-year-old daughter had been taken ill with meningitis. The child spent around a month in hospital recovering.

A police officer on patrol in an unmarked car on the M65 between junction six at Whitebirk and junction eight at Hapton at around 9:40pm spotted a grey Ford Focus driving at excessive speed towards Burnley.

He saw a male at the wheel, although the police computer showed the vehicle was only insured for two females. At first it was travelling at just over 110mph and was undertaking other road-users to get past them.

Dashcam footage of the chase was played in court and showed the officer giving chase and activating his blue lights and siren in an attempt to bring the car to a stop. But the Focus increased its speed to around 130mph. Eventually it pulled over onto the hard shoulder, but as the officer pulled in behind and got out, it accelerated away at high speed.

The car left the motorway at around 90mph and drove onto A-roads, travelling at 60mph through a 40mph area. It overtook vehicles by crossing to the wrong side of the road, but it was forced to come to a halt when it reached a queue of traffic at roadworks near Burnley Crematorium.

At first Shakleton refused to get out of the car for police but was eventually arrested. His partner was with him in the front passenger seat.

He apologised to the officers. He said he didn’t know his licence had expired. It was the first time he had driven the car and said they had been travelling back from Blackpool Pleasure Beach to hospital in Burnley.

Shakleton’s defence barrister said his client was “extremely remorseful” for what had happened. He had been speeding to get to his daughter who had been taken ill. He had done it “in a state of panic” but didn’t seek to use that as an excuse for the way he had driven that night.

Recorder Siddiqi told Shakleton: “You don’t need me to tell you that what you did that day was completely irresponsible. You drove at an exceedingly dangerous speed. You had the chance to stop and speak to the police when you pulled over but you decided to drive off again at excessive speed.

“I have seen the footage, the way you were undertaking vehicles. It was extremely dangerous. It could have led to serious injury or worse. It is fortunate that no-one was injured or you didn’t crash into anyone with your driving.

“Your explanation was that your daughter had meningitis, she was in hospital for nearly a month. You were driving at those speeds to get back to her. (But) I make it clear that is no excuse.

“This offence is extremely serious, but I am going to give you a chance by suspending your sentence.”

In addition to 12 months in jail suspended for 18 months, Shakleton, of Como Avenue, Burnley, was ordered to complete 150 hours of unpaid work. He was also banned from driving for two years and told he must pass an extended driving test before he is allowed behind the wheel again.